From the publisher,
Author's Note
List of Illustrations
Introduction
PART ONE – CHARLES L. THOMAS
Chapter 1: Graduation Day
Chapter 2: Last Stop USA
Chapter 3: A Hell of Fire
PART TWO – VERNON J. BAKER
Chapter 4: The Boy from Cheyenne
Chapter 5: The Italian Front
Chapter 6: Storming the Castle
PART THREE – WILLY JAMES JR.
Chapter 7: A Fifth Platoon
Chapter 8: Crossing the Rhine
Chapter 9: Into the Lion's Mouth
PART FOUR – EDWARD ALLEN CARTER JR.
Chapter 10: Baptism by Fire
Chapter 11: A Mercenary Man
Chapter 12: March to the Rhine
PART FIVE – GEORGE WATSON
Chapter 13: Picnic at a Hanging
Chapter 14: Off to War
Chapter 15: Operation Lilliput
PART SIX – RUBEN RIVERS
Chapter 16: Black Gold
Chapter 17: A New Esprit de Corps
Chapter 18: Patton's Panthers
PART SEVEN – JOHN FOX
Chapter 19: Transfer Student
Chapter 20: Shipping Out
Chapter 21: Give 'em Hell
Epilogue: The Rest of the Story
Afterword: The Long Road to Recognition
Acknowledgments
Appendix
Notes
Bibliography
Index
The premise of the book is 'The remarkable story of the seven African American soldiers ultimately awarded the World War II Medal of Honor, and 50-year campaign to deny them their recognition', which is actually two topics, either one of which is a book in itself. However, the author, Robert Child, covers this off in less than 300 pages.
Given that, there is no in-depth analysis of racism in the US Army circa World War Two, or of the men themselves, much less the "50-year campaign to deny them their recognition", which, if there were, would be the subject of a Netflix movie by now.
This is an easy read, where the men are introduced with a basic biography, a brief description of their army career, and the circumstances that lead to their being nominated and awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military award in the US, awarded for extraordinary acts of valor in combat. Some of the award citations read fairly ordinarily, but I am sure were extraordinary when viewed in context.
I did enjoy reading this, and now my wife is reading it, too. There is some modelling inspiration, as well as a brief history of seven African Americans who served in the US Army during World War Two. It could be argued that at 288 pages all inclusive, covering seven persons, the book is a bit light on the subject, but it serves as a good introduction to each of the men profiled, and basis for further reading.
Recommended.